# The New Marvel of Chinese Engineering
On June 24, 2024, an impressive feat of engineering was unveiled at the mouth of the Zhejiang River — the new Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor. This massive highway spans a total of 24 kilometers and includes a 6.8-kilometer underwater tunnel, two artificial islands at either end, and a 1,666-meter-long bridge with two towers standing at 270 meters tall. The bridge arches 90 meters above sea level and features eight lanes, four in each direction.
This project anticipates future traffic demands, expecting a significant increase in the need for more lanes over the next decade. This projection brings to mind the ongoing construction of the Airport-to-Playas elevated viaduct in Tijuana, a crucial project for the city facing chronically deteriorating urban mobility due to lack of foresight in planning.
In 1975, the first Civil Engineering Congress took place in Tijuana, hosted by the Civil Engineers College. As an active member, I presented a proposal titled “Outline of the Urban Development Plan for Tijuana” addressing the city’s emerging traffic problems, notably on Díaz Ordaz Boulevard and the East and West expressways – the sole East-to-West routes back then.
The proposal suggested developing three main thoroughfares – East, Central, and West – modeled after California’s major highways, each with six lanes (three for each direction) plus emergency shoulders. The idea was well-received by attendees but dismissed by then Secretary of Public Works, José Antonio Sánchez Hernández, for not being immediately necessary.
I argued that while not urgent at the time, such infrastructure would become essential. Close to 50 years later, Tijuana grapples with outdated, narrow roads. The proposed Airport-to-Playas Elevated Viaduct now part of International Avenue is being built with just four lanes.
Why four lanes? Why not six or eight? Large-scale projects can be phased out. Why wasn’t a two-tier plan considered — initially building four lanes on one level and preparing for a second level later? This would provide a long-term solution to vehicular traffic.
As a civil engineer, I critically view the elevated viaduct project. It likely won’t solve traffic issues and will soon face congestion. This concludes my perspective.
Sincerely,
Ing. Rubén Orozco Reyes, specialist in Terrestrial Routes.
Email: [email protected]
## Secondary Article: Updates on China’s Engineering Project
Since the unveiling of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor, further updates highlight its contribution to regional connectivity and economic growth. This corridor reduces the travel time between Shenzhen and Zhongshan by approximately 30 minutes, enhancing commercial and passenger traffic efficiency.
Experts praise the use of cutting-edge technology and the advancement of civil engineering methods, predicting this infrastructure will serve as a model for future projects worldwide. The new corridor is expected to facilitate extensive economic exchanges and significantly impact Southern China’s development strategy, integrating more cities into the Greater Bay Area’s economic belt.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Corridor is now regarded as a symbol of China’s rapid advancement in modern infrastructure, cementing its status as a global leader in engineering marvels.
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